7 Days / 6 Nights

Day 1: Cycling – Heho/Shan Hills – Former British Hill Station of KalawAirport greeting and bike fitting, right there in baggage claim. Kidding. Outside in the parking area our pros will get you all set up, assuming you have not brought your own two-wheeler special. The first 50k leg winds you up and takes you through pine forests and local villages. As you get closer to Kalaw, you will see more and more colonial style houses. Arrive in time to check in to your hotel and enjoy a nice cold Myanmar beer at sunset. Overnight Kalaw.

Day 2: Trekking – Kalaw to the Middle of SomewhereToday’s trekking gives you a chance to get cultural, as you will hoof your way through the beautiful mountains and Hill Tribe villages that climb and then descend to your eventual destination of Pindaya. Among the people you will encounter on your 5 hour trek today are the Palaung, who are the chief leaf growers for those famous and often gigantic Myanmar cigars known as cheroots. You’ll have a chance to have lunch with them and if you like, enjoy a fine cheroot. By days’ end you will sleep like a monk – literally, in a small village monastery! Don’t expect room service.

Day 3: Trekking – Middle of Somewhere Towards Pindaya

Fuel up with a hearty monk’s breakfast before heading off on another marvelous trekking day. You’ll visit different tribes and villages and check out their different traditions and skill sets. Just like yesterday, the day ends with another village monastery stay. By this time you might be meditating on your journey.

Day 4: Trekking – Shan Hills – Diversity Day

A day of diverse terrain and diverse Peoples leaves you smiling so wide and feeling so much like a Hill Tribe person yourself, you are thrilled with your 3rd night’s sleep in a monastery. Reports of “sleeping like a baby” are common.

Day 5: Trekking to the Promised Land – Pindaya!

The descent to picturesque Pindaya begins today down a different trail and ends by mid-afternoon as you enter the narrow terraced valley and see the town and it’s refection off the lake. There will be time to visit the famous Pindaya Buddha Cave, and you will be rewarded finally with a proper shower and soft bed. Overnight Pindaya.

Day 6: Biking – Pindaya – Nyuangshwe

Time to get back on the bike for a scenic 105km peddle to charming Nyaungshwe, the gateway to Inle, also known for its many fine Shan Pasta restaurants. Overnight Nyuangshwe.

Day 7: Magical Inlay Lake – Heho

A private boatman will take you on a half day excursion on the magic waters of Inlay, thought floating villages with floating gardens and pagodas. The lake is inhabited the warm & friendly Intha people, whose fishermen are well known for their one leg rowing style. You’ll visit a floating a market, the Jumping Cat Monastery, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and any special places your boatman might have in store for you. In the afternoon it’s a 45-minute drive to the Heho airport and departure.

*This tour is often extended with another night or two on the lake, and there are many fantastic hotels and exotic spa packages to choose from.

Shan Hills Bike & Trek combo

Starting at $1095 per person, double occupancy

7 Days / 6 Nights

Deposit required to secure reservation

Price Includes:
Top Rated English speaking guides
Luminous Journeys “Swag Bag”
Airport welcome & farewell
All Accommodation with breakfast
Meals according to your personalized plan
All in-country airfare, airport taxes, air porter fees
All itinerary based transport, inc. private car & driver
Ample bottled water throughout
Entrance and zone fees
Donations to Luminous Journeys’ micro-NGO Charities

Price does not include:
international airfare
any personal transportation unrelated to the itinerary
trip/medical insurance, medical expenses
Early check-in or late check-out charges
personal expenses, such as telephone, laundry, alcohol, etc.
tips for hotel porters or wait staff
camera fees
guide or driver gratuities
Myanmar visa fee (Visa on arrival may be obtained via Luminous Journeys)